In Josie’s Bible
Glued inside a grandmother’s Bible is a newspaper clipping with a poem on it. During the Second World War, when the conflict and rationing made many things scarce, some women shared poems clipped from the newspapers instead of sending greeting cards or letters. An investigation leads to the discovery of the poetry of James J. Metcalfe, the most popular of these newspaper poets. In the early 1950s, Metcalfe’s poems were read by more daily readers than other newspaper stalwarts, including gossip columnists Walter Winchell, Hedda Hopper, and Louella Parsons; the cartoons of Dick Tracy and Little Orphan Annie; and the advice columnists Ann Landers and Dear Abby. Yet today he is wholly unknown.
From Portraits
by James J. Metcalfe
To Bear My Cross
I turn to You, almighty God . . .
In this my time of grief . . .
I do not beg for comfort . . .
I do not seek relief . . .
I only seek the courage and . . .
The strength to bear my sorrow . . .
That I may fulfill my place . . .
And carry on tomorrow . . .
I do not want to drop my cross . . .
Or fall beside the way . . .
Just give me the grace to serve You,
God . . .
For still another day . . .
Let not my body be broken . . .
Let not my mind grow weary . . .
However much the skies may seem . . .
more dark and dreary . . .
Enable me to do You will . . .
However great my loss . . .
And as Your humble servant ,
Oh God . . .
to bear whatever cross.
© 1954
